Thomas Buchanan

Thomas Gerald Buchanan

June 27, 1925 ~ March 5, 2015

Thomas Gerald Buchanan, Sr. passed away on March 5, 2015 at age 89 after a short illness.  He was born in Carrington, North Dakota on June 27, 1925 to John Gerald and Keithel Batesole Buchanan.

He attended Carrington High School, University of North Dakota in Fargo, North Datoka, attended Asbury College in Wilmer, Kentucky, North Central Bible School, and Bethel College in St. Paul where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Thomas married Mary Louise White in Carrington and together they became the parents of Tom Jr., Mark, and Michelle.

He moved to Ogden in 1960 to work at the new Marquardt Company on west 30 ^th Street in the building now occupied by Autoliv as a tool and die inspector, later working for Thiokol in Corrine.  He and his family moved into a home in Ogden Canyon and his children attended Huntsville Elementary School in the Weber School District.  Tom became acquainted with the school principal Quinn Beckstead and they became lifelong friends.  Thomas was asked to take over a class that the teacher had quit due to the rowdy group of students.  He brought the class to order quickly and was asked to finish teaching the class for the remainder of the year.  From that time on he loved being a teacher and went on to teach in Davis County Schools until his retirement in 1987.

Thomas married Norma Wright Beckstead in 1971.  After retirement Thomas became very involved in playing pool and became a Billiards Congress of America certified instructor and taught pool classes at Weber State University for a couple of years and continued teaching pool as a private instructor.  He continued playing pool the rest of his life and has many friends who are also avid fans of the game.

After retiring in 1987, he taught as a substitute in several Weber County Schools, then in 1995 he began teaching at Layton Christian Academy (LCA) where he continued until he retired for a second time at age 87.  He loved the students and they loved him throughout his career.

Thomas loved to discuss all kinds of theology and philosophy both eastern and western with everyone he talked to.  Through the years he received and collected thousands of books, most having been given away.  If anyone he talked to showed an interest in any book he had, he immediately gave it to them.  He was a remarkable man always kind, patient, and thoughtful of others.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Norma of Ogden, son, Tom Buchanan, Jr. of Ogden;  daughter, Michelle Buchanan of Laramie, WY; stepsons, Mitch Beckstead of Salt Lake City; Jon Beckstead of Layton; and James Beckstead of Syracuse; five grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 16 step-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Buchanan; great-grandson, Weston Buchanan; step-daughter, Nancy Howard; parents, and brother, Harlin Buchanan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.